For me, it's between Mesmerize and the debut. The former has some really catchy songwriting and plenty of variation, whereas the latter is fresh and heartfelt. I actually don't like Toxicity much, I find its more radio-oriented tracks safer and less exciting than on Mesmerize (you can't seriously say Chop Suey is better than Cigaro) and its straightforward bangers more boring than on SOAD. It drags on too long, though it opens with two really good tracks.

Written by IronAngel on 01.07.2012 at 21:08For me, it's between Mesmerize and the debut. The former has some really catchy songwriting and plenty of variation, whereas the latter is fresh and heartfelt. I actually don't like Toxicity much, I find its more radio-oriented tracks safer and less exciting than on Mesmerize (you can't seriously say Chop Suey is better than Cigaro) and its straightforward bangers more boring than on SOAD. It drags on too long, though it opens with two really good tracks.

You sir are quite mad =P Cigaro is a pretty dire song if you ask me, and on the whole I wouldn't call Toxicity more radio friendly compared to the softer, rock-oriented Mesmerize. I'm not a great fan of Mesmerize/Hypnotize overall; far too much of Daron Malakian singing and taking the front seat, he has an atrocious voice, and the songs are just a bit floppy sounding really.

Troy also said Prison Song was one of the few songs he liked from that album, it's probably my least favourite though. The second track is fantastic though, as is Forest which would have made a great single.

You sir are quite mad =P Cigaro is a pretty dire song if you ask me, and on the whole I wouldn't call Toxicity more radio friendly compared to the softer, rock-oriented Mesmerize.

I didn't mean to say it was. But those tracks on it which are clearly radio-friendly and often mentioned as fan favorites (Chop Suey!, Toxicity, Aerials) are IMO not as good as their counterparts on Mesmerize (B.Y.O.B. and Cigaro, for example). And then there's tracks like Jet Pilot and Bounce, which make me feel they drained that pool dry on the debut.

I remembered wrong, btw. I was referring to Needles and Deer Dance, which are the second and third track, as the really great songs. Prison Song is cool by me too, and there are many nice individual songs. As a whole, it just doesn't feel as varied or as focused as its predecessor or follower. (I didn't like Hypnotize, either.)

I didn't mean to say it was. But those tracks on it which are clearly radio-friendly and often mentioned as fan favorites (Chop Suey!, Toxicity, Aerials) are IMO not as good as their counterparts on Mesmerize (B.Y.O.B. and Cigaro, for example). And then there's tracks like Jet Pilot and Bounce, which make me feel they drained that pool dry on the debut.

I remembered wrong, btw. I was referring to Needles and Deer Dance, which are the second and third track, as the really great songs. Prison Song is cool by me too, and there are many nice individual songs. As a whole, it just doesn't feel as varied or as focused as its predecessor or follower. (I didn't like Hypnotize, either.)

B.Y.O.B. could stand up against any System song for sure, great tune. I'm not hot on Cigaro as I said, it just seems very simplistic and faux-heavy, but I really like Radio/Video, however.

Ah ok, yeah Needles and Dear Dance are great tracks. Bounce I'm not too big a fan of. It's an amusing track but a little novelty driven. I'm quite a big fan of Jet Pilot though, probably because it's System's lyrics at their most dadaistic.

Actually I'm listening to Serj's new album now and it's probably the most enjoyable thing I've heard since Steal This Album! (which I'm also a big fan of). I'm not gonna lie, I'm a majoy Serj buff and was hugely put off System's last two records because of how much he took backseat.

Toxicity is a classic in my book. I remember hearing "Shimmy" from the game Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 for Play Station back in the day and I thought it was awesome. The rest of the album is simply great.

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